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Vulcan revs up for 24th annual Show 'n' Shine

Vulcan's annual Show 'n' Shine will take place this Saturday and features the return of the antique tractor pull.

The tractor pull has been absent from the proceedings for the past couple of years, due to a lack of volunteers, according to Alan Gorzitza of Vulcan County Cruisers, the group that organizes the Show 'n' Shine.

"We just couldn't get enough people to help out, so we weren't able to do it," said Gorzitza.

Fortunately, this year, Jonathan Tose of Vulcan Deer Country Equipment and Dick Ellis of the Vulcan District Waste Commission have volunteered to help run the event, which will take place at 3 p.m. at the rodeo grounds.

Tose says that anyone who is interested in taking part in the tractor pull should just "show up with a tractor" the day of the event.

Many of the antique tractors which will be participating in the sled pull will also be registered in the Show 'n' Shine.

Registration for the Show 'n' Shine will be held from 9-11:30 a.m., for a fee of $5 per vehicle.

Gorzitza says organizers are hoping for at least 100 vehicles. Last year, roughly 137 vehicles took part in the show, which includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, and antique tractors.

The majority of the proceeds from the day will go towards local charities.

For the past three years, the group has been donating to KidSport, which provides assistance to low income families so that all kids can be involved in team sports.

In previous years, the group has also donated to the Royal Canadian Legion, the Town of Vulcan, and to the Vulcan Community Health Centre so that additional beds could be purchased.

"We just try to help out local charities when we can," said Steven Gorzitza of Vulcan County Cruisers.

The street show will begin at around 11 a.m., with 18 trophies being awarded at 2 p.m. for categories such as best hot rod, best engine, best custom motorcycle, best original motorcycle, best restored car and truck, and people's choice car, truck and antique tractor.

The burnout competition will be held in the former ConocoPhillips parking lot across from Furniture Villa at 12:30 p.m.

Last year, the burnout featured only a handful of cars, which according to Rick Vaine, manager of Fountain Tire and organizer for the burnout, was due in large part to Blairmore's Thunder in the Valley and the Strathmore Fun Runners Show 'n' Shine taking place the same day.

These three events will fall on the same day again this year, but organizers remain optimistic that the Vulcan show will have a good turnout.

Following the burnout, the rodeo grounds will open at 2:30 p.m. for the tractor pull, which will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the demolition derby, running from 4-8:30 p.m.

The admission for the demolition derby will be $5 per person, and free for children under the age of 12.

To register your vehicle, talk to Alan or Steven Gorzitza the day of the event.

To take part in the demolition derby, call Brent Bexte at 403-485-8149, and for more information on the tractor pull, call Jonathan Tose at 403-485-2231.